WUC intensifies advocacy efforts ahead of EU-China Human Rights Dialogue

WUC intensifies advocacy efforts in Brussels ahead of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, aiming to spotlight ongoing genecide and abuses against Uyghurs in East Turkestan.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has intensified its advocacy efforts in Europe ahead of the upcoming EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. WUC Vice President Zumretay Arkin spoke about the organization’s recent trip to Brussels, highlighting efforts to amplify Uyghur voices within the European Parliament.

Led by Arkin, the visit aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing human rights abuses faced by the Uyghur population in East Turkestan (XUAR in China).

Arkin emphasized the significance of the two-day advocacy meetings held with members of the European Parliament and the European Commission. “We’re here to bring the voice of the Uyghur people into the European Parliament and to raise awareness about the Uyghur genocide,” she said.

Discussions focused on a range of urgent human rights issues, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, individual cases of persecution, forced labour, forced sterilisation, and broader concerns related to gender, women’s rights, and children’s rights under the Chinese government’s policies in the region.

Arkin also drew attention to the intersection of environmental and human rights issues at a recent conference held at the European Parliament. The event brought together Uyghur and Tibetan activists to discuss the ecological destruction caused by Chinese infrastructure projects.

“We just left a conference in the European Parliament with Tibetan activists on the ecological crisis in Tibet, particularly the construction of hydroelectric dams that are devastating the Tibetan plateau and rivers,” Arkin explained. “Eco-cide is also happening in East Turkestan,” she added.

She emphasized the need for continued solidarity between oppressed communities. “We’re here to stand in solidarity with our Tibetan allies, to explore how we can deepen our cooperation and build a stronger movement together,” Arkin concluded.